Reader Design Consultation: Blue and White Living Room

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

In this post: This week’s reader design consultation looks at adding updated elements to a blue and white living room for a more sophisticated look.

Who doesn’t love blue and white? Its one of the most pleasing color combinations and one that so many people choose to live with in their homes. When I received the photos for this week’s reader design consultation, I could see the owner had so many pretty things to work with. Like many of my readers, her taste clearly favored French Country style, with a bit of farmhouse and shabby chic mixed in.

“CL” was looking to pull everything together. She had collected things she loved but wasn’t sure how to give it a cohesive look. She had touches of pink and was considering adding yellow. She wanted to work around her blue check sofa, but wasn’t sure if it was too cottage-y. Below are the photos she sent me as her starting point.

As is often the case when someone asks me about using more color, my feeling is she instead needs to lighten things up a bit. More whites and creams to work with her blues, and even some grey tones. CL has so many lovely things in the room, from her pretty gingham sofa to her transferware plates and other chinoiserie pieces. I love the blue chest in the entryway and the wonderful floral painting above it.

In the living room itself, however, my suggestion is to go a little more sophisticated and the primary way to do that is with aged patina on the new pieces she adds, from a distressed looking rug to a few chippy painted tables.

But first let’s talk about layout…

In the existing room, the blue check sofa separates the entry from the living room and there’s a table behind it that is too deep to be used as a console table. Across from the gingham sofa is a dark navy sofa which feels too heavy for the other pieces in the room and under the window is a large club chair.

Without the benefit of seeing the room in person, from the photos it appears to me that this layout is not ideal. I would try putting the check sofa under the window and adjacent to it where the navy sofa is, I would consider adding an inexpensive white loveseat. Then, to maintain the separation between the room and the entryway, I’d add a little bench where the sofa currently is and a true console table behind it. Finally I’d add in a coffee table to tie the conversation area together.

You can see the pieces I’ve selected in the design board above. (I’ve provided links below with a few options for the pieces that are either not immediately available or a tiny bit pricey.) Please also note that it’s impossible to show the actual layout on the design board, so to clarify, the bench would be facing the other seating pieces in the living room and the console table would be behind it, so it faces you when you enter the room. If the spacing doesn’t work in real life, CL can simply switch the loveseat and the bench, but still use all the same elements. So let’s explore the specifics.

1. The very first thing I do in any room I approach is remove all the clutter. As we collect things over the years and build our rooms as time goes by, we tend to overlook that some clutter has crept in. One mirror or painting on a wall, perhaps flanked by one simple pair of relating pieces is far more impactful than a wall full of randomly placed pieces.

2. So, on the far wall where the navy couch currently sits, I would place the white love seat with a gilded mirror above it and a simple throw pillow on the seat. If CL wants to use her plates here, I would limit it to just a few, evenly flanking the mirror.

3. In the corner next to the love seat is where I would place the wonderful aged chest with a distressed urn lamp.

4. Under the window I would place CL’s existing blue check sofa. I would select simple white linen drapery panels to update the window coverings.

5. Perhaps the single most important item is an area rug to anchor the conversation area and add more character with aged patina. The distressed wood coffee table adds a nice bit of interest, feminine enough to work with the French look, yet rugged enough to lend sophistication. The roman bowl is another favorite piece that would truly define the character of the space. (I’m thinking of getting this one for myself too!) I would warn against putting too many things on the coffee table. Perhaps a few art books and maybe a candle on top of them and you’re good to go.

6. Opposite the love seat (where the check sofa currently sits) is where I would try the whitewashed bench. A couple of grain sack pillows here help soften the look while the bench provides extra seating. Backing up to the bench, where CL currently has the table with the lamps, I would place the wonderful grey console table, another piece that truly would give the room its defining look. Pretty lavender atop the table is really all it needs.

7. The white hutch that CL owns can stay exactly where it is, opposite the window. CL can use the blue and white plate collection currently on her wall to decorate the hutch. If she’d like to mix in the pink, I would use it more sparingly interspersed with the blue and white.

8. The blue chest in the entryway is perfect as is.

In the end, to me the most important pieces to balance her blue and white living room are the distressed items for adding character and the key item to remove is the navy sofa. CL did mention possibly having it recovered, but it would likely cost less to buy an inexpensive love seat than to invest more in the sofa. Whichever way she chooses to go, she has a lovely base from which she is starting and I know it will look wonderful when she is done!

This is something I constantly battle in my own home. We all have some clutter and it’s not always papers laying around. Sometimes it’s too many decorative objects or too many small items randomly placed on tables or walls. I try to constantly edit and this is probably the number one thing that makes it obvious a home wasn’t decorated by a professional. Was it Coco Chanel who said always remove one piece before you go out? Same thing with a home… 😉

Love your ideas! I like the coffee table for my lower level, not sure it is big enough, but would love one like it slightly deeper. also love that chest…I need to get rid of some things and make room for that!

Lory,
I love what you suggested to CL. She has many nice things to work with. I think the white love seat will immediately brighten up the space. You are so right about recovering. By the time fabric and labor is added in, purchasing a newer one is the better way to go. I’m not sure if we can mention other sources or not, but Ikea has a loveseat like this and less expensive. Also, the style of the loveseat suggested will look better with the blue and white one than the curved back on the one CL has now. I have had my eye on that Malinda chest for some time . I guess I am waiting for it to sell out. 🙁 I’m thinking about using it in my sitting room next to kitchen ?!? I love the finish on it and it also has great storage. The Roman bowl is also a fave of mine. The mirror you mentioned is beautiful and will look so good with white loveseat. Maybe, AG sconces beside the mirror would look good too. CL, please send Lory pictures when you finish. I’d love to see it. I know you are thrilled. Lory, you are amazing and I love the way you give suggestions of where to purchase items. I get so excited when your blog pops up in my email. !!

Thanks so much, Kathy! You’re next!! 😉 Yes, the Ikea loveseat is also an option (but it has to be completely assembled so I think the price is pretty comparable). I love the idea of the Malinda chest in your sitting room. I’d actually like that piece for myself too, but not sure where to put it. And I am SO going for that bowl! Love the idea of sconces next to the mirror… 🙂

Lory, you have such a knack for pulling a room together! I LOVE all your ideas! I am really enjoying these room transformations, and the resource guide is so helpful. You always seem to find beautiful pieces for, I think, very reasonable prices. Your blog is always so interesting. Thanks for sharing your amazing talents.

Beautiful suggestions Lori, you have quite the eye. I gather about 3 items for our coffee table placed on an old Italian wine barrel. Now you have me thinking, I love the look but maybe should rethink?

Thanks, Cindy! I’m doing the same thing with my own tables. They start out quite simple and as I buy new things they get more crowded. Sometimes you have to step back and take a fresh look. It’s always easier to do with someone else’s space… 😉

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I’m Lory, the creator of Designthusiasm, a blog that celebrates beautiful design! From home decor to tablescapes, lifestyle to travel photography, this blog was developed as an outlet for my varied design passions. My style can be described as modern French Country, with a respect for the past and the quality that comes with it. For more of my story see my ABOUT page. Thanks for visiting!

Designthusiasm in Romantic Homes – April 2016

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YOUR INFORMATION WILL *NEVER* BE SHARED OR SOLD TO A 3RD PARTY.

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